fellas, there is just not enough minutes a game to also play Hawkins on a regular basis. There is no way any players would get in a good flow if there is a 10 man rotation, specially at the 2-3 positions. Hawkins is being used just fine and he is doing a fine job. Come in when there are injuries or matchup problems, and try to play within the offense. Thats it. Job done. When Rice gets back, just be ready when called upon.
We have that guy. His name is Jason Collier. His number is 52. Collier is a PF, not a center. He has always been a center because that's what the Rockets needed. However, he always played PF in college. Now he can play backup PF because he is big, strong and has a deft shooting touch. Also, Collier is a team kind of guy. This is his chance to really shine! I hope RT utilizes him.
Collier is not a banger though and he is way to slow to play PF in the pros. People talk about how Cato is too slow to PF alongside Yao, but Collier is even slower than Cato. Maybe Cato can be our banger at the PF.
Most teams use a 10 man rotation during the regular season and go to an 8 man rotation during the playoffs. If you play an 8 man rotation during the regular season, it would wear your players out. It would be too many minutes for an 82 game season. During the playoffs, you know that Francis and Mobes will be on the floor 45+ minutes which would squeeze Moochie and Hawk or TMO out. However, we can figure the playoff rotation when we get there.
Steve, Cat, Posey, Rice, Moochie, Cato, Yao, Eddie, Mo. Thats 9 players there we see on the rotation regularly. Thats good enough even for the regular season. Hawkins and T-Mo just need to be ready when called upon.
Bingo. Posey is simply a longer more athletic more experienced more respected (by the refs) version of Hawkins. Unless there are injuries, there is little reason to play Hawkins. If Hawkins could beat out Mooch for the back-up 1 spot that would be dandy, but there is a long way for him to go before he can play the 1.
